The Kensington community are outraged by thieves targeting their water meters. Local police have confirmed that there has been a spike in the number of cases being reported.
Resident Jahaan Toefy says they were victims a month ago.
“They stole our water meter during the night while it was load shedding. We woke up and there was water everywhere. We had a copper water meter. This was a massive inconvenience. We couldn’t use the toilet, it was just a mess.”
Toefy explains that on Monday 10 October she woke up to the sound of water gushing and upon investigating she noted that her neighbour’s water meter was also stolen.
“I thought it was raining. But I got up and looked outside the window, that is when I saw. I then alerted my neighbour to what was happening.”
Her neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the incident took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
“There was water everywhere. We were without water for a few hours because we had to go to the police station to make a case. Later in the day City officials came out to fix it.”
Cheslyn Steenberg, Kensington Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chair, says they are concerned about the incidents.
“We have engaged the Kensington police on the matter and found the modus operandi to be that of targeting the copper water meter that is then sold for about R120 per kilogram or more.”
According to Steenberg they are also in discussions with the City of Cape Town to address the matter.
“Further to this, the Kensington police have activated its own plans to curb this, including other internal mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators are successfully prosecuted.
We appreciate our affiliated neighbourhood watches that remain on high alert and continue to patrol their respective blocks.”
Steenberg urged residents to join neighbourhood watches in the area.
“We need more men and women to join these structures. We urge the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in and around homes, especially during loadshedding, moreover, report any information about the sale of these water meters immediately to the Kensington police or 10111.”
Lt Col Henry Heydenrych, Kensington Police Station Commander, says the recent spike can be attributed to copper and metal theft increases.
Heydenrych says: “Perpetrators operate in the early hours of the morning and operate in groups of two or more people.
Heydenrych says as a result police have intensified their patrols during the “identified time frame” of incidents.
He says on Tuesday 11 October one suspect was arrested.
The officer encouraged residents to report any suspicious activities.
Steenberg says: “We applaud the success made with regard to the water meters and copper pipe theft; this will be a continuous matter of priority, we urge you
– the public to share information about this crime with us so that justice can be served – being without water is an injustice and should not be condoned in any way.”
Acting Mayco member for water and sanitation, Siseko Mbandezi, confirms that there’s been an increase in the number of complaints received in the Kensington area.
He says as of Thursday 13 October, the city recorded 42 stolen meter complaints, adding that this is a “significant increase” compared to the previous three months. In July, 15 meters were stolen, in August 18 and in September 10 meters were reported stolen.
He says from Saturday 1 October to Thursday 13 October the city recorded 146 meter complaints across the city.
Mbandezi says from 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022 approximately R5,3 million has been spent replacing stolen and defective meters.
“The city cannot condone the theft of critical water infrastructure. We ask residents to please be vigilant and to report these incidents so it can be investigated to clamp down on this reckless, inconsiderate behaviour that has a knock-on effect on residents.”
He says the city has put out a reward of R5 000 for anyone with information that can lead to an arrest or recovery of stolen property.
Residents can help reduce theft and vandalism by:
- Providing information anonymously to one of the city’s safety and security agencies like law enforcement and metro police to be eligible for a reward.
- Calling 0800 11 00 77 to provide information on the whereabouts of stolen property or a suspected offender.
He says if a water meter is stolen, it should be reported immediately to arrange for a replacement:
- Email water@capetown.gov.za or WhatsApp 060 018 1505
“The City should visit the property for an inspection within 24 hours, and if the meter is confirmed as needing replacement, this should be done within a further 24 hours in most cases,” concludes Mbandezi.
